Are the mountain passes out of town open, and are chains required right now — the official WSDOT report for Stevens, Blewett and Snoqualmie.
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The only fast way west out of Leavenworth is over Stevens Pass on US-2, and the winter detour to I-90 climbs Blewett Pass on US-97. This page shows WSDOT's own report for each summit right now — whether it's open, whether traction tires are advised, whether chains are required, and whether it's closed — in plain words. It is the official restriction, not a forecast: for the snow outlook over the summits see "Snow on the Passes," and for neighbour reports on US-2 through Tumwater Canyon near town see "Is US-2 Open?"
When chains are required
Right now
No restrictions on Stevens Pass (US-2, west to Everett)
summit elevation 4,061 ft
The direct route west over the Cascades toward Everett and Seattle. When Stevens is restricted or closed, the only paved alternative is the long way round on US-97 over Blewett to I-90.
Reports have ended for this season. Traditionally weather and road conditions are reported on this page from November 1 to April 1. Should adverse weather occur that will impact travel, updates will be provided as information is available.
WSDOT updated 19 Jul, 23:58. WSDOT — Stevens Pass — the official pass report and cameras
Right now
No current pass report for Blewett Pass (US-97, south to I-90)
summit elevation 4,102 ft · 79°F
The winter detour south to I-90 and Ellensburg, and the freight route when US-2 is shut. Passenger cars often take the lower Chumstick Highway (SR-209) to Cashmere instead of Blewett.
Reports have ended for this season. Traditionally weather and road conditions are reported on this page from November 1 to April 1. Should adverse weather occur that will impact travel, updates will be provided as information is available.
WSDOT updated 19 Jul, 23:51. WSDOT — Blewett Pass — the official pass report and cameras
Right now
No restrictions on Snoqualmie Pass (I-90, the cross-state route)
summit elevation 3,022 ft · 68°F
The main cross-state interstate, reached from Leavenworth via US-97 over Blewett. It's the busiest winter closure point in the state, so check it before committing to the I-90 detour.
Reports have ended for this season. Traditionally weather and road conditions are reported on this page from November 1 to April 1. Should adverse weather occur that will impact travel, updates will be provided as information is available.
Travel impacts will be updated here if conditions cause delays of an hour or more. For other cross-state travel conditions, check WSDOT's real-time travel map.
WSDOT updated 19 Jul, 23:48. WSDOT — Snoqualmie Pass — the official pass report and cameras
Live · . Pass reports from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Mountain Pass Conditions. Not for navigational use.
WSDOT opens, restricts and closes these passes, and clears them. It reports the passes roughly November through April and posts adverse-weather updates in between; outside that window a pass shows "No restrictions" with a note that seasonal reports have ended.
This page reports WSDOT’s own pass restriction — it never declares a pass safe to drive, and it is not for navigational use. Restrictions can change fast in a storm; WSDOT’s real-time map and 511 are the authority, and a closure can happen before a report catches up.
US-2 through Tumwater Canyon just west of town — the stretch that flooded and closed for about two months from December 2025 and reopened to two-way traffic on 10 February 2026 — is below the pass summit, not on the WSDOT pass report. Watch it on the US-2 alerts link above and on the neighbour-reported "Is US-2 Open?" board. Permanent repaving there is planned from June 2026 and may bring more closures.
If Stevens Pass closes, the paved way west is US-97 south over Blewett to I-90, then west over Snoqualmie — a long way that depends on two more passes being open, which is why all three are on this page. Passenger cars heading to Wenatchee or Cashmere use the lower Chumstick Highway (SR-209); freight uses US-97 over Blewett.